“And he made the Kiyor of copper and its base of copper from the mirrors of the dedicated women who congregated at the entrance of the Ohel Moed.”
(Shemos 38:8)

It is customary to translate the statement “From [doing mitzvos] not lishmah not for the sake of Heaven one comes to [do mitzvos] lishmah entirely for the sake of Heaven ” (Pesachim 50b) in the following manner: The performance of mitzvos not lishmah brings one to perform mitzvos lishmah. Yet that is not so. Rather the lishmah part of one’s actions only [serves to] weaken the non-lishmah aspect and through this a person ends up in a situation in which he is capable of easily overcoming the non-lishmah aspect and chasing it away. (Lekach Tov)
As a young girl during the hectic days leading up to Purim and Pesach I’d take my younger siblings out of the house during the afternoon. I’d receive tons of compliments about how much I was helping my mother and how patient I was with the baby. I’d nod my head in thanks and enjoy the praise.
Only when I grew up a bit was I able to admit the truth to myself. Before Pesach was the high season for hopscotch. The only way that I an older daughter of an overworked mother could break free of the wet shmattehs and make it out to the sun-filled street was to have my younger siblings join me.
The more I matured the more such inner truths I discovered until at times I was embarrassed to look inside myself. Because in my inner self I yearn to be more spiritual more honest; performing my actions out of inner shleimus and helping others without calculating how much and when they’ll pay me back. In my inner self I want to raise children from a pure and elevated place without calculations hopes and foolish disappointments. In my inner self I’d like to be occupied with the good side of my character the side that’s exalted sensitive and doesn’t care what others will say but in reality…
The Ramban writes that there was no specified weight or measurement for the Kiyor rather the Kiyor was made from all the mirrors that were brought. The women assembled a big “army” and congregated at the entrance to the Ohel Moed to give their mirrors through the generosity of their hearts. (ibid.)
Her copper mirror was the most valuable possession of the woman in the Desert. How did those Jewish women have the strength to sacrifice the most precious of their possessions and give it to the Mishkan of Hashem?
Moshe spurned the mirrors because he saw the yetzer hara peeking out of them. Hashem however saw that through them the women established many multitudes in Mitzrayim and therefore He said “These are more beloved to Me than all else.” (ibid.)
Truth be told I clean the house because mess drives me crazy. I prepare interesting suppers because I like trying different recipes. I’m planning a unique mishloach manos lest I come with “empty hands” (a package of wafers and a small bottle of grape juice) and how will I handle my shame?
How exactly are these ornaments “more beloved to Me than all else”? Because through them many multitudes in Mitzrayim were established. Wasn’t there a tiny trace of l’shem Shamayim mixed into these actions? Isn’t an orderly house calming for your whole family? Don’t fresh blintzes gladden your children? And isn’t your neighbor’s appreciation of your beautiful mishloach manos also part of your intentions?
Yes. Even actions that seem routine simple and at times just plain selfish almost always contain within them a dimension that established many multitudes in Mitzrayim. Even your cup of coffee with cake so physical brings your children a more-relaxed mother.
A positive intention. Good will. One intent lishmah. All these poured into our actions turn them with time into pure gold. Add one positive intention while stirring the pot when filling up the shopping cart when hanging the laundry. Add a lishmah to your ride to work to your baking for Shabbos to helping a child with homework.
We can each pour more spirituality even just the tiniest thought into our most routine actions. May they all be received by Hashem as “more beloved to Me than all else.”